Roasting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for roasting particulate solids which includes a system for heating and circulating a fluid through a roasting vessel, and arrangements for supplying material to be processed to and discharging it from the reactor. Methods for roasting particulate solids.

United States "Patent 1191 Smith, Jr. [4 July 16, 1974 ROASTING APPARATUS 26111111 1g t [751 Invent Lsmlthd" Rlchmmd, 3,261,690 7/1966 .l 99/468X V 3,328,172 6/1967 Smith 99/468 x 3,613,549 10/1971 Champion 99/472 [73] Assgnee' fi 'g 3,714,887 2/1973 Johnson 99/469 1 3,71s,0s2 2/1973 Lipoma 99/470 [22] Filed: Aug. 11,1972

[ 1 APPI- bio-1,279,748 Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr.

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 137,247, April 26, 1971, Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 44,464, June 8, 1970, Pat. No. 3,615,668.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz ABSTRACT ids.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED L 6 974 SHEET 10F 4 www oww

6a an EN EN moEmEwm #210 PATENTEU JUL 1 6 I974 snmanm PAIENIEDJUUBIBH 3.823.662 srm u or 4 136 I20 v. AC.

GREEN BEANS INTO FEED LOOK 21 1mm EVACUATE AIR FROM LOCK 24TO 2 H 2 m PRESSURIZE LOCK 24 WITH N2 3 GREEN BEANS INTO IROASTER 22 4 VENT LOCK 2410 so H H2 2 5 EVACUATE LOCK 24 10 2' H N2 6 m ROASTED BEANS mp DISCHARGE LOCK so 7 VENT LOCK 30-1030 H N2 6 m EVACUATE LOCK 30 T0 2"H N2 9 m ROASTED BEANS INTO COOLER 3,4 10 m EVACUATE AIR FROM LO0K30 1o 2 H H m PRESSURIZE LOCK 30 WITH N2 12 2221 INDEX ROTATABLE ASSEMBLY 5a m ONEINCREMENT I||||g||||I||l|I||i|I CYCLE TIME-SECONDS 1 ROASTING APPARATUS tion No. 137,247 filed Apr. 26, 1971, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 44,464 filed June 8, 1970 (Now US. Pat. No. 3,615,668).

The present invention relates to the processing of particulate solids and, more specifically, to the roasting of coffee beans and comparably processable solids.

In application Ser. No. 44,464, I disclosed certain novel methods of and apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids which had a number of advantages over the roasting techniques-theretofore available. Specifically, the novel technique disclosed in my copending application provides uniform treatment of the solids being processed, versatility, accurate process control, a high rate of heat transfer, and reduced power requirements. At the same time these advantages can be achieved at lower cost and with less complex equipment than was theretofore possibleby use of the only technique known to me to be capable of providing similar advantages. See us. Pat. Nos. 3,328,172; 3,328,894; 3,329,506; 3,332,780; 3,385,l99; 3,395,634; 3,408,920; 3,447,338; 3,345,180; and 3,345,l8l..

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids which equal or better the performance of, but are even'less complex and more economical than, the methods and apparatus disclosed in my copending application.

In the present invention, the solids being processed are roasted in much the samemanner as disclosed in that application. That is, the solids to be processed are introduced into and discharged from a reactor or roasting vessel through devices designed to prevent the egress of roasting fluid and the ingress of air so that-an atmosphere of controlled composition and/or an above-atmospheric pressure can be maintained in the reactor. The solids thus introduced into the reactor are formed into a bed with successive increments of the introduced solids being confined to specific locations in the bed. This bed is'displaced to move the solids'from the location at which they are introduced to the loca tion where they are discharged.

As the bed is displaced, the solids are roasted by a heated fluid, which will typically be an inert gas such as nitrogen. The roasting fluid is directed upwardly through the bed, typically through inclined apertures in a stationary nozzle plate located in the lower reaches of the reactor: This causes the solids being roasted to circulate ina pattern which produces uniform and intimate contact between the fluid and the particulate solids and a consequent uniform roasting of the solids.

The roasting process and apparatus disclosed herein differ in one respect from those described in my pending application in the manner in which the displacement of the bed of solids being processed is effected; they also differ in the manner in which the solids are introduced into and removed from the bed. In the earlier disclosed method and apparatus, the bed of solids is continuously in motion. This necessitates the use of relatively complex and expensive devices to provide a continuous flow of solids to be processedinto the reactor or roasting vessel and a continuous flow of the roasted solids therefrom.

In the present invention, in contrast, the bedis alternately incrementally advanced and'halted in moving the solids from the location at which they are introduced to the location where they are removed. For reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, this novel method of advancing the bed permits the solids to be introduced and removed from the bed while it is halted. As a result, much simpler feed and removal devices can be employed.

In typical application of the invention, the cycles of movement of the bed are uniform. This permits successive segments of the bed to be moved through the roasting path inperiods of equal duration; i.c., at the same speed, to produce uniform roasting.

More particularly, the novel method ofdisplacing the bed of solids just described permits simple gastight locks to be substituted for the relatively complex feeders disclosed in my earlier application. The roasted solids in one segment of the bed are discharged therefrom while the bed is halted into one lock. At the same time unroasted solids are transferred from a second lock into thebed to replace the previously discharged segment. Also, in preferred embodiments of the invention, air is evacuated from the locks and replaced with roasting fluid in an appropriate sequence, and the roasting fluid is then evacuated from the locks and returned to the fluid circulating system. This permits both the ingress of air into the roasting vesseland the loss of roasting fluid to be minimized. As a consequence, the solids can be roasted in the preferred manner in an atmosphere of controlled composition and/or at an aboveatmospheric pressure. This allows the beans to be processed without oxidative degradation and, in the case of less expensive beans, under conditions which will materially upgrade their quality.

Aside from those discussed above, the novel roasting technique describedherein has the advantages of using relatively inexpensive sources of inert roasting fluids and a simple system for heating the roasting fluid-Also, the fluid circulation system is simple; and the moisture content of the roasting fluid can be regulated without venting fluid from the system. Thelast feature is important because it eliminates the loss of roasting fluid and sensible heat associated with venting, the hardware required for venting, andthe hardware needed to elimivnate pollutants from the vented fluid.

Further, in the present invention, the cyclic depressurization and repressurization associated with the unloading and loading of the reactor and other components in the fluid circulating system of batch-type apparatus is eliminated. The apparatus can consequently be made much simpler since the hardware needed to effect depressurization and repressurization is eliminated.

The primary object of the invention has been identified above. Other important but more specific objects of the invention includethe provision of novel, improved methods of and apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids:

l.- by a continuous as opposed to batch-type technique. 2. by a technique which provides a uniform product,

is versatile, and has high effeciency. 1 3. in which the solids can be roasted in an atmosphere of controlled composition or controlled composition and above-atmospheric pressure. 4. in which, in conjunction with the preceding object, gastight locks are employed in introducing solids to be roasted into a roasting vessel and inremoving roasted; and

roasted solids from the vessel to keep air from entering the vessel and to prevent the escape of roasting fluid.

5. in which, in conjunction with the precedingobject,

a bed of solids being roasted is alternately advanced and halted and in which the solids are introduced into and removed from the bed while it is halted to thereby simplify the steps of introducing the solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel.

Still other important objects and features and further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between FIGS. 1A and 1B which together constitute a schematic illustration of a system or plant for roasting particulate solids, the plant being constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention and being designed specifically for coffee roasting;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the lower part of a reactor or roasting vessel employed in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 isa section through the roasting'vessel of FIG. 2 to a reduced scale and is taken substantially along line 33 of the latter Figure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement for rotating a movable assembly which is employed in the roasting vessel to displace a bed of solids being FIG; 5 is a timing diagram for the operation of the coffee roasting system of FIG. 1;

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1A and 18 depict diagramatically a coffee roasting plant or system 20 constructed in accord, with the principles of the present invention. System 20 includes a roasting or reaction vessel 22 into which unroasted beans are introduced or fed from a gastight lock 24 supplied with green beans from a storage hopper 26. Lock 24 is employed to maintain isolation between the interior of the reactor and the ambient atmosphere while the solids are introduced and to remove from the solids any air mixed with them.

"' Coffee roasting plant 20 may equally well be employed to roast other products including those mentioned in application Ser. No. 44,464.

The solids thus introduced into the vessel are roasted mits the uncomplicated locks 24 and to be emby a fluid which is heated in and circulated through the roasting vessel or roaster by a fluid heating and circulating system 28.

The system also includes a second gastight lock 30 roasting vessel to a cooling system 32. Lock 30, like lock 24, isolates the roasting vessel from the surrounding environment while the transfer of solids is effected.

ployed in the stead of the more complex solids transfer devices disclosed in application No. 44,464.

As indicated above, one of the primary components of roasting System20 is reaction vessel 22. This vessel is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described in detail in application Ser. No. 44,464 which is hereby incorporated herein and to which reference may be made if deemed necessary.

Referring now to the Figures just mentioned, reaction vessel 22 has a vertically oriented, cylindrical shell 44. As the fluid-solids treatment of this invention can advantageously be carried out under pressure, reaction vessel shell 44 is preferably constructed to withstand pressures up to several hundred pounds per square a discharge transfer conduit 48 which extends through thelower end of shell 44 and communicates with lock Roasting'vessel '22 also includes an inlet 50 for a heated roasting'fluid in the lower end of shell 44. The roasting fluid flows upwardly through vessel 22 from inlet 50 and is discharged through an outlet (not shown) into fluid circulating system 28. As the fluid flows through the vessel, it roasts the beans or other solids in the vessel, which are formed into a bedby a solids transfer and fluid distributing arrangement identified generally by reference character 54.

The arrangement 54 just mentioned includes a first, fixed assembly 56 supported from reactor shell 44 and a second assembly 58 rotatable about an axis coincidental with the vertical centerline of roasting vessel 22. Fixed assembly 56 includes a frustoconicahupwardly and inwardly inclined inner support 60 and a frustocon-- The angle of inclination for both supports will typically be on the order of 60 although this precise angle is not critical.

The assembly of inner and outer supports 60 and 62 and spider 64 is supported from reactor shell 44 by an annular bracket66 fixed to the reactor shell, an annular flange 68 on spider 64 being seated on the bracket. Assembly 56 is fixed in place by a fastener 70 which extends upwardly through the bottom of the reaction vessel and is threaded into the spider. An annular seal 72 between bracket 66 and flange 68 prevents the roasting fluid from flowing through the joint between these two components into the upper portions of the reaction vessel.

Also included in fixed assembly 56 is an orifice ring or plate 74, which spans the gap between the'lower ends of inner and outer supports 60 and 62. The orifice ring is supported from spider 64 by a support ring 76 to which the ring is secured. Flow passages (not shown) are formed at intervals through support ring 76. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, apertures 81 are provided in orifice ring 74 in a regular pattern or array (typically in two rows) except in Iocationsbelow bean inlet conduit 46 and above bean discharge conduit 48. The apertures are inclined towards the center of the reaction vessel.

Roasting fluid enters reactor 22 through inlet 50 and then flows upwardly through the flow passages in support ring 76 and the apertures 81 in orifice ring 74 and the bed of beans, causing the beans to circulate in the pattern shown by arrows 82 in FIG. 2. As discussed above and in my issued US. Patent No. 3,345,180, circulation of the beans being roasted is of considerable importance as this provides uniform and intimate contact between the roasting fluid or gas and the solids being processed. Such contact results in the production of a uniform product and also provides versatility, accurate process control, a high rate of heat transfer to the solids, and other advantages. In one 28 inch diameter roasting vessel constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention apertures 81 are 0.136 inch in diameter. 'I'wo rows of apertures inclined at an angle of 60 from the horizontal and spaced 0.25 inch on centers are formed in the orifice ring.

As indicated above, no apertures are formed in the portion of orifice ring 74 below inlet conduit 46 or above solids discharge conduit 48. In the first of these opening into discharge conduit 48 for transfer to the cooler or cooling vessel 84 of solids cooling as described previously.

As discussed briefly above, in the present invention solids to be roasted are introduced into reaction vessel 22 through inlet conduit 46, displaced in a circular path around the vessel, and discharged through conduit 48. As the solids move around the vessel the desired roasting is accomplished by the fluid introduced into the vessel through inlet 50.

It is the function'of the second, movable or rotatable assembly 58 to rotate or turn the bed of solids and thereby displace the solids through the path just de-' system 32 scribed. Rotatable assembly 58 includes a vertically extending, cylindrical inner member or sleeve 86 to which a conical cap (not shown) is attached. Fixed to sleeve 86 at equidistant intervals are radial blades or paddles 90. These blades extend from above fixed assembly 56 downwardly into the frustoconically sectioned trough between inner'and outer supports 60.and 62. The lower portions of the blades are shaped to match the configuration of the trough.

Blades 90 divide the bed of solids being roasted into a number of distinct portions or segments. By rotating assembly 58, each of these segments or portions of the bed can be caused to move from a position beneath inlet conduit 46 where the segments are formed by the introduction of solids into the reaction vessel through a circular path to opening 83, where the solids are dumped into discharge conduit 48.

Sleeve 86 is rotatably supported from the spider 64 of fixed assembly 56 by a pivot member 92. This member extends upwardly through and is fixed to the sleeve in the manner described in application Ser. No. 44,464.

Fixed in the lower end of sleeve 86 is an internal ring gear 102. Ring gear 102 (and thus sleeve 86 and blades is rotatably supported from the uppermost member 106 of spider 64 by bearings 108, which will typically be of the ball type. An annular seal 110 between spider member 106 and ring gear 102 assists in confining the roasting fluid to the chamber between movable assembly 58 and reaction vessel shell 44 in which the roasting occurs.

As indicated previously, movable assembly 58 is rotated by drive arrangement 40. Drive 40 includes a pinion 112 in mesh with ring gear 102. The pinion is fixed to a shaft 114 which extends downwardly through a fitting 116, a sleeve 118, and a substantially gastight fitting to the exterior of reaction vessel 22. Fixed to the lower end of shaft 114 is agear 122 driveconnected as by a chain 124 to a pinion 126. This pinion is fixed to the output shaft 128 of a drive motor 130.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the drive 40 for motor 130 also includes a control system 132 for regulating the motor operation. More specifically, it is the function of control system 132 to so regulate the operation of motor 130 as to alternately advance or rotate assembly 58 through a preselected angle and then halt it for a period of specified duration. As was also explained previously, this permits the relatively simple air locks 24 and 30 to be employed to feed the solids to and transfer them from roasting vessel 22 while keeping air from flowing into and'roasting fluid from flowing out of the roasting vessel.

As shown in FIG. 4, motor 130 is connected across a source of operating voltage 134 by leads136 and 138. lnterposed in lead 136 is the normally open contact 140 of a relay 142 which also has a coil 144. With relay 142 deenergized, no power is supplied to motor 130.

Relay coil 144 is also connected across power source 134 by lead 138 and by leads 146, 148 and 150. The latter two leads are connected through a normally open switch 152 having an actuator 154 to which a cam follower l56'is attached. Accordingly, this circuit is normally not energized.

Cooperating with cam follower 156 is a disclike cam 158. The cam is secured to the timing shaft 159 of a conventional timing device 160, which also includes a motor 161 for rotating shaft 159. Motor 161 is connected across power source 134 by leads 136 and 138 and by leads 162 and 164.

As shaft 159 and cam 158 rotate, a depression 166 in cam 158 moves opposite cam follower 156; and the cam follower drops intothis depression. This displaces switch actuator 154, allowing switch 152 to close and connect relay coil 144 across power source 134. As a result, the relay is energized, thereby closing normally open relay contact 140. This, in turn, connects motor 130 across power source 134, energizing the motor, and causing it to rotate assembly 58 through the drive train 40 described previously. I

Shortly after it falls into cam depression 166, the follower 156 rides out of the depression, opening switch 152. However, relay coil 144 is kept energized through a holding circuit including leads 136, 146 and 168, normally closed switch 170, and leads 172 and 138. Ac cordingly, motor 130 continues to operate and rotate movable assembly 58 until switch 170 is opened.

This is accomplished by an eccentric cam 174 and a cam follower 176. Eccentric 174 is mounted on the pinion 126 attached to the output shaft 128 of rotatable assembly drive motor 130. Cam follower 176 is rotatably supported as by bracket 180 from the actuator 182 of switch 170; and, with assembly 58 stopped, it is in the position illustrated in FIG. 4, holding switch 170 open.

As motor output shaft 128 rotates, the follower drops off eccentric cam 174 and allows actuator 182 to move and close switch 170 so that the holding circuit described above can be completed. After one full revolution, cam 174 again engages follower 176, displacing actuator 182 and opening switch 170. This deenergizes relay 142, relay contact 140 opens, motor 130 is deenergized, and the movement of rotatable assembly 58 ceases.

FIG. is a timing chart showing a cycle of movement of rotatable assembly 58 as just described. As shown by this Figure, the advance of assembly 58 will typically take on the order of 5 seconds; and the assembly will then be halted for about seconds. The assembly will typically be advanced about 2 at a time.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the duration of the roasting cycle is dependent on the speed or rotation of the camshaft 159 the solids being roasted always move in the same number of increments through the same annular path; and the speed of rotation of the camshaft determines the frequency with which assembly 58 is advanced to incrementally displace the solids. The duration of the roasting cycle can accordingly be readily varied by changing the speed of camshaft rotation. For v In atypical timing device, this is easily accomplished by changing the gears in the drive train (not shown) between the camshaft and timer motor. a 4 minute roast, for example, camshaft 159 of one plant of the type described herein rotates once every 15 seconds. It rotates once every 17.5 seconds for a 4.5 minute roast and once every 18.75 seconds for a 5 minute roast.

As reaction vessel 22 is designed for continuous as opposed to batch-type operation, the beans to be roasted must be introduced into the reaction vessel through a device capable of feeding the beans into the reactor without interrupting the roasting process. In addition, for a satisfactory roast, this must be accomplished in such a fashion that no air will be admitted into the roaster and so that air mixed with the beans being admitted can be separated from them. Otherwise, there may be unwanted oxidation of the beans being roasted. Also, to make the system economically practical, the feed device must prevent the inert gas within the reaction vessel from flowing out of it as the beans are introduced because of the expense of the insert roasting fluid.

Similar provisions must be made for discharging the roasted beans from the reaction vessel. That is, this operation must be carried out without interruption of the roasting process and without a significant flow of fluid into or out of the reaction vessel.

As indicated above, because of the novel manner in which the bed of solids being roasted is alternately advanced and halted bydrive 40, the relatively simple air lock arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 may be employed for these purposes. More specifically, lock 24 is a gastight, hopper-like component and is supplied with the beans or other solids to be roasted, typically from a green bean storage bin 26 as discussed above. As shown in the drawing, the beans are fed from bin 26 through a conventional feeder valve 184 into a pneumatic feed line 185. A blower 186 connected to the feed line by air line 187 forces the beans through the feed line to a conventional cyclone 188 where chaff, dirt, and other foreign matter is separated from the beans. From the cyclone the beans flow through conduit' 190 into lock 24.

Referring now to both FIGS. 18 and 5, a valve 192 is interposed in lock supplying conduit 190, and a valve 194 is disposed in the conduit 46 through which the beans to be roasted are transferred from lock 24 to roasting vessel 22. Initially, ,valve 194 is closed; and valve 192 is opened, allowing the beans to flow into lock 24. Valve 192 is then closed, isolating the lock from both the roasting vessel and the ambient surroundings. The lock is then evacuated to remove from the beans any air mixed therewith. As mentioned above, the removal of air from the unroasted beans is important because it allows the beans to be roasted in an environment of controlled composition in which they will not be subject to oxidative degredation.

Evacuation of lock 24 is accomplished by opening a valve 196 in a vacuum line 198 connected to roasting vessel 22 by line 200 and through line 202 to avacuum accumulator 204. The latter is in turn connected through line 206 to a vacuum pump 208. Accordingly, with valves 192 and 194 closed and valve 196 open, the air in lock 24 flows through lines 198, 200 and 202 into accumulator 204 from which it is evacuated by pump 208. The foregoing sequence, of events is shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 5 as steps 1 and 2.

It is not essential that a vacuum accumulator be used. However, the latter arrangement is preferred as itpermits a much smaller and correspondingly less expensive pump to be used. Specifically, a complete cycle of loading and unloading the reaction vessel occupies only approximately 15-20 seconds, and the step of evacuating lock 24 must be accomplished in between 2 and 3 seconds. If an accumulator is not employed, a pump having a sufficiently large capacity to empty lock 24 in a 2-3 second period must be provided. On the other hand, if an accumulator is employed, a much smaller pump can be used and operated continuously during the cycle to evacuate from the accumulator the air discharged into it.

At the end ofthe evacuation step, valve 196 is closed and the pressure in lock 24 equalized with that in the roasting vessel by filling the lock with roasting fluid (typically nitrogen) to system pressure. This is accomplished by opening a valve 209 and pumping nitrogen into the lock from a tank or accumulator 210 by a compressor 212. More specifically, nitrogen'in tank 210, typically at approximately atmospheric pressure, is withdrawn through line 213 by the compressor and compressed to system pressure. Valve 209 is interposed I in a line 216 connected between the forementioned line 200 and a line 218 which is connected by line 220 to compressor 212. Accordingly, when valve 209 is opened, the compressed nitrogenflows through filter 221 and line 220 into the lock until the system pressure is reached. Again, as shown by FIG. 5, this step is typically accomplished in'only slightly more than 2 seconds.

"- In a typical application of the invention, the pressure in the lock at the start of the nitrogen filling step will be on the order of 2 inches of mercury.

After pressurization, valve 209 is closed and valve 194 opened. This allows the deareated beans to be discharged by gravity from lock 24 into the roasting vessel and into the space between two adjacent blades 90 of rotatable assembly 58 to form one segment of the bed of solids in the roasting vessel.

To complete the cycle of operation of lock 24, valve 194 is closed and the nitrogen evacuated from the lock and returned to tank 210 to conserve it. As indicated above, this is an important facet of the invention from the point-of-view of operating economy.

It has also been found that significant operating economies can be achieved in removing the nitrogen from lock 24 by doing this in two stages. In the first stage, the lock at system'pressure, typically on the order of 140 psig, is connected to tank 210 by opening a valve 222 in a branch line 224 connected through line 200 to lock 24 and through lines 226, 228 and 230 to tank 210. The bulk of the nitrogen in lock 24 flows into tank 210 under its own pressure in this step. As shown by FIG. 5, this initial venting step will typically be completed in about seconds.

In the second stage of the nitrogen removal step, the remaining nitrogen in the lock is evacuated. More specifically, valve 222 is closed and a valve 232 in a branch line 234 opened. This connectslock 24 through line 200, line 234, and line 236 to nitrogen accumulator 238. The accumulator is maintained at a high vacuum (typically on the order of two inches of mercury) by constantly operating vacuum pump 240, which is connected to the accumulator by line 242. Accordingly, there is a rapid of flow of nitrogen from lock 24 into accumulator 238, this stage of the evacuation step typically being accomplished in between two and three seconds.

As in the case of the air evacuating system. the accumulator is not essential. However, it is preferred that an accumulator be employed for the reasons discussed in.conjun,etion with the air evacuation system.

As shown in FIG. 1B, pump 240 pumps the nitrogen thus returned to accumulator 238 through line 244 into line 230 and thence back into tank 210.

Following the evacuation of nitrogen from lock 24, valve 232 is closed, and valve 192 is opened. This completes the cycle and readies lock 24 for a further charge of solids to be roasted.

The solids introduced into roasting vessel 22 in the manner just-described are roasted by heating a roasting them in the manner described previously in conjunction with the discussion of the operation of roasting vessel 22. Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 28 provided in plant 20 for heating and circulating the inert roasting gas or fluid includes a main loop 246.

interposed in loop 246 are a circulator 248 for circulating the heated gas through system 28 and reactor 22, a direct fired heater 250 for the gas, and a chaff separator 252. Also included in main loop 246 on the discharge side of reaction vessel 22 is a valve 254, which can be opened to vent system 28, the reaction vessel, and the system 38 which supplies fluid tothe various locks and closed to isolate the vessel and fluid systems from the ambient atmosphere. Adjacent valve 254 are a valve 256 which can be opened to charge the system with the roasting fluid and a pressure relief. valve fluid and circulating the heated fluid upwardly through 258. System 28 additionally includes a condensor 261 and a separator 262 by which water may be removed from the recirculated roasting fluid to maintain the moisture content of the fluid at a specified level and a main flow control valve 264 for regulating the rate-offlow of the roasting gas.

To make repairs, for example, the roasting fluid can be vented from plant 20 through valve 254 into a suitable receiver. Upon resuming operation air can be purged from plant 20 by leaving valve 254 open and introducing roasting fluid through valve 256 to sweep air from the system (air can also'be evacuated by connecting valve 254 to a vacuum producer). The system can then be recharged through valve 256. The system can be similarly purged and filled with roasting fluid on initial start-up.

- As it is connected to loop 246 by line 259, valve 258 prevents excessive pressure build-up in fluid system 28 and in roasting vessel 22. lt also prevents excessive pressure from building up in the system 38 utilized to fill locks 24 and 30 with roasting fluid by virtue of its connection to line 220 through lines 259 and 260.

System 28 is similar to the corresponding fluid heating andcirculating system described in US. Pat. No. 3,615,668 and, possesses the advantages of the latter. These include simplicity and low initial and operating costs, due both to the relatively small volume of roasting fluid required and the fact that a relatively simple direct fired heater can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, blower 248 circulates the roasting fluid at a rate determined by the positioning of valve 264 through line 266 to heater 250 where the fluid is heated to the desired temperature, typically on the order of 400+ F. From here the heated fluid flows through line 268 to roasting vessel 22 and then through the latter in the manner described previously. The roasting fluid, then at a lower temperature and having admixed therewith moisture and other volatiles evolved from the beans during the roasting process, foreign matter, etc. flows through lines 270 to chaff separator 252, which is of conventional construction and accordingly will not be described in detail herein. Here chaff and other foreign material is separated from the roasted solids. The cleaned roasting fluid flows from the chaff separator through line 271 back to blower 248 to complete the cycle.

Because system 28" is pressurized and filled with inert fluids there is interposed in the chaff discharge or dump conduit 272 from the chaff separator an arrangement which allows foreign material to be discharged without a significant flow of air into or inert gas from the separator. This arrangement preferably includes a lock 274 of the same type as the lock 24 described previously.- A valve 276 in chaff dump conduit 272 is normally open, and lock 274 (which is first evacuated) is at the same pressure as chaff separator 252. Accordingly, foreign materials separated in the latter fall by gravity into lock 274.

When lock 274 is full, valve 276 is closed; and a valve 278 in line 228 is opened. This connects the lock through lines 282, 228, and 230 to tank or receiver 210; and the roasting fluid flows back to tank 210 until the pressure in the lock reaches atmospheric pressure. Next, a valve 285 in the discharge conduit 286 from lock 274 is opened; and the chaff flows by gravity from the lock. As the pressure on both sides of the lock is equal at this point, there is no appreciable flow of roastingfluid from or flow'of air into lock 274. After the lock is emptied, valves 285 and 278 are closed and valves 276 and 283 opened; and the collection of chaff in lock 274 is resumed.

A valve 283 in a line 284 connected between line 228 and pressure relief line 260 to prevent excessive pressure buildup in chaff separator 252 is also closed. This keeps the fluid in circulating system 28 and in the pressure relief line from flowingback to tank 210 through lines ing process must be continuously removed from the recirculated roasting gas in typical applications of my invention to prevent the moisture content of the latter from exceeding a preselected level. Regulation of the moisture level is accomplished by circulating a portion of the roasting gas through condensor 261 and separator 262 to remove excess moisture from the recirculating fluid. A valve 288, typically automatically controlled (the control arrangement is not shown), is preferably provided to regulate the volume rate-of-flow of gas from line 266 through line 290 to the condensor and, accordingly, the amount of moisture which is removed. 1

Condensor 261 is of conventional construction and accordingly will not be described in detail herein. Briefly, however, it includes a shell 291 housing a coil (not shown) to which a coolant is circulated by line 292 and from which the coolant is discharged through line 293 at a rate controlled by a valve 294 in the coolant discharge line. The roasting fluid flows through shell 291 over the coil. This lowers its temperature, condensing the water vapor in the fluid.

From the condensor the roasting fluid with its burden of condensed moisture flows through line 295 to moisture separator 262, which may also be of conventional construction. Here, the condensed moisture is separated and discharged through a trap 296 which keeps air from flowing into the fluid circulating system.

The roasting fluid from which the moisture has been separated flows through line 298 to line 271 where it is mixed with the roasting fluid flowing directly to blower 248 through the latter. This permits the moisture content to be accurately controlled.

In some cases the moisture content of the fluid supplied by blower 248 to roasting vessel 22 may be too low rather than too high. To cover this contingency, a pump 300 connected to a source of water (not shown) through line 302 and to fluid line 271 by line 304 may be provided. If the moisture content of the recirculated fluid becomes too low or is too low on start-up, for example, pump 300 can be energized (preferably automatically) to pump water into line 271 and bring or restore the moisture content of the recirculated fluid to the desired level.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, I have thus far described how the beans or other solids are introduced into and roasted in roasting vessel 22. At the comple- 12 through lines 312, 224, 226, 228 and 230. The nitrogen in lock accordingly flows under its own pressure into tank 210. As shown in FIG. 5, this stage of the nitrogen evacuation step typically takes on the order of 2 to 3 seconds.

Valve 310 is then closed and a valve 314 opened, connecting the lock through lines 312, 234, and 236 to the evacuated nitrogen accumulating tank or receiver 238. This step, which will also typically take on the order of 2 seconds, reduces the pressure in the lock to on the order of 2 inches of mercury.

Valve 314 is then closed and the valve 316 in transfer conduit 306 opened. This allows the beansor other solids to flow by gravity from lock 30 through conduit 306 into cooler 84.

In a typical application of the present invention, cooler 84 will be filled with air at slightly above atmospheric pressure. To keep this air from the roasting vessel, valve 316 is next closed and the air evacuated from thelock by opening valve 318. This connects the interior of the lock through lines 312, 198 and 202 to the evacuated air receiver 204. This evacuation step also occurs in 2 to 3 seconds.

Although not critical, it is preferred that the four valves 192, 194, 308, and 316 which control the flow of solids into and out of locks 24 and 30 be ball valves. This type of valve presents minimum obstruction to the flow of solids.

Valve 318 is then closed and lock 30 repressurized with roasting fluid by opening valve 320. This connects the lock to the outlet side of compressor 212 through lines 220, 218, 216 and 312. Valve 320 is then closed and valve 308 opened to complete thecycle.

The cooling vessel 84 of solids cooling system 32 to which the roasted solids are transferred in the manner just described may be of any desired construction. Typical of those which may beemployed is the rotary drum type reactor orcooling vessel described in my US. Pat. No. 3,345,180. For reasons of economy, air will typically be employed as the cooling medium; and a blower or circulator 322 will be incorporated in system 32 to circulate the air through cooling vessel 84.

A low overpressure will normally exist in cooler 84.

Accordingly, if the cooled beans are discharged directly from the cooler to atmospheric pressure, the beans and. chaff in the system may blow about. To avoid this, the beans may be discharged from the cooler through a lock of the type described above (not shown), for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, solids cooling system 32 also includes a water'supply line 324 connected interiorly of cooler 84 to conventional spray nozzles 326. As discussed in detail in Pat. No. 3,345,l80, a spray can be employed to quench the roast and thereby prevent filling lock 30 with roasting fluid and equalizing the pressure in the lock with that in the roasting vessel. This allows the beans flowing into conduit 48 through dump opening 83 to fall by gravity into the lock. Valve 308 is then closed, isolating the lock.

The nitrogen or other roasting fluid is then evacuated overroasting and to minimize roasting losses. A valve 328 is incorporated in the'water supply line 324 to regulate the spray rate. v

A chaff separator (not shown) may be added to the illustrated cooling system 32 to separate foreign material from the air discharged from vessel 84. This separator may be of the same type as chaff separator 252.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooled beans can be transferred through conduit 330 to packaging equipment hopper 36. Alternatively, they may be directed through conduit 330 and conduit 332 to the roasted beans storage bin 34.

To direct the solids to storage bin 34, a valve 334 in a line 336 connected between storage bin 34 and packaging equipment hopper 36 is opened and a second valve 338 in the same line closed. This connects bin 34 with the inlet of conveyor blower 186 through lines 336 and 340, creating a vacuum in the storage binpThis causes air to flow from cooling vessel 84 to bin 34 through conduits 330 and 332 and transport the roasted solids from the cooling vessel to the bin.

To convey the solids to packaging equipment hopper 36 instead of bin 34, valve 334 is closed and valve 338 opened. This connects the inlet of blower 186 to hopper 36, lowering the pressure in it and thereby causing the beans to be pneumatically conveyedfrom the cooling vessel to the hopper.

Referring again to FIG. 4, valves 192, 194, 196, 209, 222, 232, 308, 310, 314, 316, 318, and 320 are all of the solenoid type and are controlled in the same manner as roasting vessel drive motor 130; i.e., by switches operated by cams (not shown) mounted on timing shaft 159 of timer 160. Timers of this type as illustrated in FIG. 4 are conventional and commercially available; and the timer will accordingly not be described further herein.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the arts to which this invention pertains that many modifications may be made in the emobidment of the invention described above to optimize its performance for particular applications or for other reasons. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to such persons that the principles of the invention and the illustrated plant and-apparatus, particularly the novel reactor or'roasting vessel disclosed herein, can be used for applications other than those specifically mentioned. All such applications and modifications of the present invention and the apparatus and processes employing its principles are therefore intended to be covered by the appended claims unless expressly excluded therefrom.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in'all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters cessable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having a shell and means in said shell for supporting a bed of solids to be roasted; means for introducing a heated roasting fluid into the lower reaches of the roasting vessel and for effecting a flow of the fluid upwardly through the vessel and the bed of solids therein; and means operable while the How of the heated roasting fluid upwardly through the roasting vessel is being effected for so introducing solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel as to substantially preclude the flow of air into or the flow of heated fluid from the roasting vessel and for separating from the solids as they are in troduced any air mixed wherewith, thereby said solids can be roasted in an atmosphere of controlled composition and the loss of heated fluid from the roasting vessel during the introduction andremoval of the solids can be abated, the last mentioned means including substantially gastight supply and discharge locks, each having an inlet and an outlet; valve means at the inlet and outlet sides of each of said locks; and means for selectively and independently actuating each of said valve means.

2. Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vesselhaving a shell and means in said shell for supporting a bed of solids to be roasted; means for introducing a heated roasting fluid into the lower reaches of the roasting vessel and for effecting a flow of the fluid upwardly through the vessel and the bed of solids therein; and means including first and second substantially gastight locks for so introducing solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel as 'to substantially preclude the flow of air into or the flow of heated fluid from the roasting vessel and as to separate from the solids as they are introduced any air mixed therewith, whereby said solids can be roasted in an atmosphere of controlled composition and the loss of heated fluid from the roasting vessel during'the introduction and removal of the solids can be abated, the means for introducing the solids into the roasting vessel comprising said first lock and means for sequentially isolating said lock from the roasting vessel, introducing solids to be roasted into said lock, isolating the lock from the ambient surroundings, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, and providing communication between the lock and roasting vessel to transfer the'solids from said lock to said vessel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for removing the solids from the roasting vessel comprises the second lock; means for sequentially isolating the lock from the surrounding environment, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, providing communication between the lock and roasting vessel to transfer roasted solids from the roasting vessel to the lock, and evacuating the lock; and means for thereafter emptying the solids from the lock.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for evacuatingair from the first and second locks comprises a vacuum producer, conduit means connecting said first and second locks to said vacuum producer, and valve means operable to provide communication through said conduit means between said locks and said vacuum producer. r 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for filling said locks with roasting fluid and for evacuating roasting fluid therefrom comprises aroastirig fluid supply system which includes means for circulating the roasting fluid through said system to said locks at a pressure sufficiently high to pressurize said locks to a pressure equal to that in the roasting vessel; a first means for evacuating roasting fluid from the locks and returning it to the circulation system to .reduce the pressure therein to a preselected level; a second means for evacuating substantially all of the remainder of the roasting fluid from the locks and returning it to the supply system; conduit means connecting said locks to said circulating means and to said first and second fluid evacuating means; and valve means in said conduit means for providing selective communication from said locks through said conduit means to said fluid circulating means and to said first and second fluid evacuating means. I

6; Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having a shell and fixed and movable assemblies in and cooperablewith said shell to support a bed ofv solids to be roasted; means for periodically incrementally displacing said movable assembly so that said assembly is almeans for roasting the solids in said bed as the solids therein are transferred from the first to the second location which includes means for introducing a heated fluid into the lower reaches of the roasting vessel and for causing said fluid to flow upwardly through said ves sel and the beds of solids therein; and means for concurrently introducing solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel at said first and second locations, respectively, while said movable assembly is halted, whereby the roasting of the solids can be accomplished in a continuous as opposed to batch-type fashion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the roasting vessel shell has a cylindrical configuration; said movable assembly is mounted for rotational movement about a discrete segments are contacted by the heated roasting fluid as the segments are advanced along said path by the intermittent rotary advance of said rotatable assembly. 10. Apparatus-for roasting particulate solids in a continuous-type operation comprising a roasting vessel having a shell; means in said shell for supporting a-bed of particulate solids; an assembly rotatably supported in said shell which includes means for dividing the bed vertical axis; and the means for periodically advancing the movable assembly includes an electric motor, means drive-connecting said motor to said movable assembly, and control means for alternately energizing and deenergizing said motor for periods'of designated duration.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said control means includes a first circuit for connecting said motor across a source of operating voltage; a relay having a coil and a normally open contact in said first circuit; a second circuit for connecting said relay coil across said power source; a switch having an actuator and a normally open contact in said second circuit; timing means for periodically displacing said actuator and effecting a closing of the switch contact for a period sufficiently long to energize the relay coil and thereby cause its contact to close to energize the motor; a holding circuit including a normally closed switch connected across the relay coil for keeping the relay energized; and means operable after rotation of the movable assembly through a predetermined angle to open the normally closed switch and thereby interrupt the supply of power to the'electric motor.

9. Apparatus for roasting particulate solids in a continuous type operation comprising a roasting vessel having a shell; means in said shell for supporting a bed of particulate solids; an assembly rotatably supported in said shell which includes means for dividing the bed of solids into a plurality of generally discrete segments; means for introducing solids to be roasted through said roasting vessel shell into said bed at one location and for discharging roasted solids from the bed and roasting vessel shell at a second location spaced around the roasting vessel from said first location, both without the entry of air into the roasting vessel so that the solids can be roasted in an environment of controlled composition and/or above atmospheric pressure; flow means in the lower reaches of the roasting vessel throughwhich a heated roasting fluid can flow upwardly into the bed of solids; and-means for intermittently advancing said rotatable assembly through an angle of selected magni-- tude, wherebysaid assembly can be halted with a segment of the bed containing roasted solids at said second location to discharge said solids from the bed and with the space occupied by a previously occupied segment of the bed at said first location for replacement of said last-mentioned segment of the bed with unroasted solids, said flow means being along the path between said first and second locations, whereby the solids in said of solids into a plurality of generally discrete segments; means for introducing solids to be roasted through said roasting vessel shell into said bed at one location comprising a supply lock for holding unroasted solids; means for introducing solids into said supply lock which has a first valve means therein; means for conducting solids from said supply lock to said roasting vessel which has a second valve meanstherein; and means for sequentially closing said second valve means to isolate the interior of said supply lock from the interior of the roasting vessel, opening said first valve means to allow unroasted solids to be transferred to said supply lock, closing said first valve means to isolate said supply lock, evacuating said supply lock to remove therefrom air mixed with said solids, filling said lock with roasting fluid, and opening said second valve means to effect a transfer of the deareated solids from the supply lock to the roasting vessel; meansfor discharging roasted solids from the bed and roasting vessel shell at a second location spaced around the roasting vessel from, said first location; flow means in the lower reaches of the roasting vessel through which a heated roasting fluid can flow upwardly into the bed of solids; and means for intermittently advancing said rotatable assembly through an angle of selected magnitude, whereby said assembly can be halted with a segment of the bed containing roasted solids at said second location to discharge said solids from the bed and with the space occupied by a previously occupied segment of the bed at said first location for replacement of said last-mentioned segment of the bed with unroasted solids, said flow means being along the path between said first and second locations, wherebyv the solids in said discrete segments are contacted by the heated roasting fluid as the segments are advanced along said path by the intermittent rotary advance of said rotatable assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, together with means for supplying roasting fluid to the supply lock and means operable after the transfer of the solids to the roasting vessel to sequentially close said second valve to isolate said supply lock and evacuate the roasting fluid from said lock and return it to the roasting fluid supply means to thereby prevent the loss of said fluid.

12. Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having means for supporting a bed of solids to be roasted; means for introducing solids to be roasted into said roasting vessel at a first location including a first gastight lock and means for sequentially isolating said lock from the roasting vessel, introducing solids to be roasted into said lock, isolating the lock from the ambient surroundings, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, and providing communication between the lock and the roasting vessel to transfer the solids from said' lock to said vessel; means for so displacing said bed as to transfer the solids introduced into the roasting vessel from said first location to a second location; means for roasting said solids as they are transferred from said first location to said second location by effecting a flow of the roasting fluid upwardly through the bed; means for removing roasted solids from the roasting vessel at the second location including a second lock and means for sequentially isolating the lock from the surrounding environment, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, providing communication between the lock and roasting vessel to transfer roasted solids from the roasting vessel to the lock, and evacuating the lock and means for thereafter emptying the solids from the lock; a closed circulation system for the roasting fluid including the roasting vessel; a pressure relief means operable to vent roasting fluid from the means for filling said first and second locks with roasting fluid and/or from the closed circulation system if the pressure therein exceeds a specified level; a chaff separator for removing foreign material from the roasting fluid after it has passed through the bed of solids being roasted; means for emptying chaff 20 fom said separator comprising a third substantially gastight lock communicatable with said separator and means for sequentially filling said lock with roasting fluid to a pressure substantially equal to the pressure in the chaff separator, providing communication between the separator and lock to allow the transfer of foreign material from the separator to the lock, reducing the pressure in the lock to atmospheric pressure by evacuating roasting fluid, and providing communication between the lock and a receiver for the foreign material, whereby the lock can be emptied without a significant flow of air into or roasting fluid from the lock, said lastmentioned means including conduit means connecting the third lock through the system for filling said third lock with roasting fluid to the pressure relief valve; a first valve in said conduit means which can be closed to keep roasting fluid from flowing therethrough into the third lock from said lastmentioned system when said third lock is being evacuated and otherwise opened to provide communication between said third lock and said pressure relief means; and a second valve which can be closed to keep fluid from being pumped out of said third lock by said fluid evacuating means other than when such evacuation is desired.

13. Apparatus for roasting particulate solids in a continuous-type operation comprising a roasting vessel having a shell; means in said shell for supporting a bed of particulate solids; an assembly rotatably supported in said shell which includes means for dividing the bed of solids into a plurality of generally discrete segments; means for introducing solids to be roasted through said roasting vessel shell into said bed at one location; means for discharging roasted solids from the bed and roasting vessel shell at a second location spaced around the roasting vessel from said first location comprising a discharge lock having outlet. means with a first valve means therein;.means for transferring solids from the roasting vessel to the discharge lock having a second valve therein; and means operable with the lock empty and said first valve open and said second valve closed to sequentially close said first valve to isolate the lock, evacuate the lock, fill the lock with roasting fluid until the pressure therein reaches the pressure in the roasting vessel, open said second valve to permit the transfer of the roasted solids from the roasting vessel to the discharge lock, close said second valve, evacuate the roasting fluid from said lock and return it to the source from which it is supplied to thereby conserve the fluid, and open the first valve to permit the solids in the lock to be discharged from the lock through the outlet thereof; flow means in the lower reaches of the roasting vessel through which a heated roasting fluid can flow upwardly into the bed of solids; and means for intermittently advancing said rotatable assembly through an angle of selected magnitude, whereby said assembly can be halted with a segment of the bed containing roasted solids at said second location to discharge said solids from the bed and with the space occupied by a previously occupied segment of the bed at said first location for replacement of said lastmentioned segment of the bed with unroasted solids, said flow means being along the path between said first and second locations,

whereby the solids in said discrete segments are contacted by the heated roasting fluid as the segments are advanced along said path by the intermittent rotary advance of said rotatable assembly.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,823,662 Dated July 16, 1974 Inventor) Horace L. Smith, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown-below:

f "1 Claim 1, column 13, line 60, change "wherewith" to -therewith and "thereby" to --whereby-.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer PIE-1050 W69) UNITED STATES PATENTOF on CERTIFICATE OF CG'HQFK Patent No. 3.823 552 Dated Julv 16, 1974 Iavent r( Horace L. Smith, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the ahoveddentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 7, line 30, change "2 to --20--,

Column 7, change lines 40-44 to read as follows:

camshaft rotation.

7, In a typical timing device, this is easily accomplished by changing the gears in the drive train between the camshaft and timer motor.

For a four minute roast, for example, camshaft 159 of one plant of the type described herein rotates once every 15 seconds. It rotates once every 17.5 seconds for a 45 minute roast and once every 18.75 seconds for a five minute rOaSto-. Column 7, line 58, change "insert" to --inert--,

Column 8, line 28, change "degradation" to --degradatioi:a-.

Claim 11, co1umn16, line '47, change "1" to --10- Signed and sealed this 29th day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN MCCOY M. GIBSON I R 7 w Commissioner of Patents AttestingOT fi c er 

1. Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having a shell and means in said shell for supporting a bed of solids to be roasted; means for introducing a heated roasting fluid into the lower reaches of the roasting vessel and for effecting a flow of the fluid upwardly through the vessel and the bed of solids therein; and means operable while the flow of the heated roasting fluid upwardly through the roasting vessel is being effected for so introducing solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel as to substantially preclude the flow of air into or the flow of heated fluid from the roasting vessel and for separating from the solids as they are introduced any air mixed wherewith, thereby said solids can be roasted in an atmosphere of controlled composition and the loss of heated fluid from the roasting vessel during the introduction and removal of the solids can be abated, the last mentioned means including substantially gastight supply and discharge locks, each having an inlet and an outlet; valve means at the inlet and outlet sides of each of said locks; and means for selectively and independently actuating each of said valve means.
 2. Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having a shell and means in said shell for supporting a bed of solids to be roasted; means for introducing a heated roasting fluid into the lower reaches of the roasting vessel and for effecting a flow of the fluid upwardly through the vessel and the bed of solids therein; and means including first and second substantially gastight locks for so introducing solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel as to substantially preclude the flow of air into or the flow of heated fluid from the roasting vessel and as to separate from the solids as they are introduced any air mixed therewith, whereby said solids can be roasted in an atmosphere of controlled composition and the loss of heated fluid from the roasting vessel during the introduction and removal of the solids can be abated, the means for introducing the solids into the roasting vessel comprising said first lock and means for sequentially isolating said lock from the roasting vessel, introducing solids to be roasted into said lock, isolating the lock from the ambient surroundings, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, and providing communication between the lock and roasting vessel to transfer the solids from said lock to said vessel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for removing the solids from the roasting vessel comprises the second lock; means for sequentially isolating the lock from the surrounding environment, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, providing communication between the lock and roasting vessel to transfer roasted solids from the roasting vessel to the lock, and evacuating the lock; and means for thereafter emptying the solids from the lock.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for evacuating air from the first and second locks comprises a vacuum producer, conduit means connecting said first and second locks to said vacuum producer, and valve means operable to provide communication through said conduit means between said locks and said vacuum producer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for filling said locks with roasting fluid and for evacuating roasting fluid therefrom comprises a roasting fluid supply system which includes means for circulating the roasting fluid through said system to said locks at a pressure sufficiently high to pressurize said locks to a pressure equal to that in the roasting vessel; a first means for evacuating roasting fluid from the locks and returning it to the circulation system to reduce the pressure therein to a preselected level; a second means for evacuating substantially all of the remainder of the roasting fluid from the locks and returning it to the supply system; conduit means connecting said locks to said circulating means and to said first and second fluid evacuating means; and valve means in said conduit means for providing selective communication from said locks through said conduit means to said fluid circulating means and to said first and second fluid evacuating means.
 6. Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having a shell and fixed and movable assemblies in and cooperable with said shell to support a bed of solids to be roasted; means for periodically incrementally displacing said movable assembly so that said assembly is alternately advanced and halted to thereby transfer solids in a bed of solids supported in the roasting vessel as aforesaid from a first location to a second location; means for roasting the solids in said bed as the solids therein are transferred from the first to the second location which includes means for introducing a heated fluid into the lower reaches of the roasting vessel and for causing said fluid to flow upwardly through said vessel and the beds of solids therein; and means for concurrently introducing solids into and removing them from the roasting vessel at said first and second locations, respectively, while said movable assembly is halted, whereby the roasting of the solids can be accomplished in a continuous as opposed to batch-type fashion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the roasting vessel shell has a cylindrical configuration; said movable assembly is mounted for rotational movement about a vertical axis; and the means for periodically advancing the movable assembly includes an electric motor, means drive-connecting said motor to said movable assembly, and control means for alternately energizing and deenergizing said motor for periods of designated duration.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said control means includes a first circuit fOr connecting said motor across a source of operating voltage; a relay having a coil and a normally open contact in said first circuit; a second circuit for connecting said relay coil across said power source; a switch having an actuator and a normally open contact in said second circuit; timing means for periodically displacing said actuator and effecting a closing of the switch contact for a period sufficiently long to energize the relay coil and thereby cause its contact to close to energize the motor; a holding circuit including a normally closed switch connected across the relay coil for keeping the relay energized; and means operable after rotation of the movable assembly through a predetermined angle to open the normally closed switch and thereby interrupt the supply of power to the electric motor.
 9. Apparatus for roasting particulate solids in a continuous-type operation comprising a roasting vessel having a shell; means in said shell for supporting a bed of particulate solids; an assembly rotatably supported in said shell which includes means for dividing the bed of solids into a plurality of generally discrete segments; means for introducing solids to be roasted through said roasting vessel shell into said bed at one location and for discharging roasted solids from the bed and roasting vessel shell at a second location spaced around the roasting vessel from said first location, both without the entry of air into the roasting vessel so that the solids can be roasted in an environment of controlled composition and/or above atmospheric pressure; flow means in the lower reaches of the roasting vessel through which a heated roasting fluid can flow upwardly into the bed of solids; and means for intermittently advancing said rotatable assembly through an angle of selected magnitude, whereby said assembly can be halted with a segment of the bed containing roasted solids at said second location to discharge said solids from the bed and with the space occupied by a previously occupied segment of the bed at said first location for replacement of said last-mentioned segment of the bed with unroasted solids, said flow means being along the path between said first and second locations, whereby the solids in said discrete segments are contacted by the heated roasting fluid as the segments are advanced along said path by the intermittent rotary advance of said rotatable assembly.
 10. Apparatus for roasting particulate solids in a continuous-type operation comprising a roasting vessel having a shell; means in said shell for supporting a bed of particulate solids; an assembly rotatably supported in said shell which includes means for dividing the bed of solids into a plurality of generally discrete segments; means for introducing solids to be roasted through said roasting vessel shell into said bed at one location comprising a supply lock for holding unroasted solids; means for introducing solids into said supply lock which has a first valve means therein; means for conducting solids from said supply lock to said roasting vessel which has a second valve means therein; and means for sequentially closing said second valve means to isolate the interior of said supply lock from the interior of the roasting vessel, opening said first valve means to allow unroasted solids to be transferred to said supply lock, closing said first valve means to isolate said supply lock, evacuating said supply lock to remove therefrom air mixed with said solids, filling said lock with roasting fluid, and opening said second valve means to effect a transfer of the deareated solids from the supply lock to the roasting vessel; means for discharging roasted solids from the bed and roasting vessel shell at a second location spaced around the roasting vessel from said first location; flow means in the lower reaches of the roasting vessel through which a heated roasting fluid can flow upwardly into the bed of solids; and means for intermittently advancing said rotatable assembly through an angle of sElected magnitude, whereby said assembly can be halted with a segment of the bed containing roasted solids at said second location to discharge said solids from the bed and with the space occupied by a previously occupied segment of the bed at said first location for replacement of said last-mentioned segment of the bed with unroasted solids, said flow means being along the path between said first and second locations, whereby the solids in said discrete segments are contacted by the heated roasting fluid as the segments are advanced along said path by the intermittent rotary advance of said rotatable assembly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, together with means for supplying roasting fluid to the supply lock and means operable after the transfer of the solids to the roasting vessel to sequentially close said second valve to isolate said supply lock and evacuate the roasting fluid from said lock and return it to the roasting fluid supply means to thereby prevent the loss of said fluid.
 12. Apparatus for roasting coffee and comparably processable solids, comprising a roasting vessel having means for supporting a bed of solids to be roasted; means for introducing solids to be roasted into said roasting vessel at a first location including a first gastight lock and means for sequentially isolating said lock from the roasting vessel, introducing solids to be roasted into said lock, isolating the lock from the ambient surroundings, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, and providing communication between the lock and the roasting vessel to transfer the solids from said lock to said vessel; means for so displacing said bed as to transfer the solids introduced into the roasting vessel from said first location to a second location; means for roasting said solids as they are transferred from said first location to said second location by effecting a flow of the roasting fluid upwardly through the bed; means for removing roasted solids from the roasting vessel at the second location including a second lock and means for sequentially isolating the lock from the surrounding environment, evacuating the lock, filling the lock with roasting fluid, providing communication between the lock and roasting vessel to transfer roasted solids from the roasting vessel to the lock, and evacuating the lock and means for thereafter emptying the solids from the lock; a closed circulation system for the roasting fluid including the roasting vessel; a pressure relief means operable to vent roasting fluid from the means for filling said first and second locks with roasting fluid and/or from the closed circulation system if the pressure therein exceeds a specified level; a chaff separator for removing foreign material from the roasting fluid after it has passed through the bed of solids being roasted; means for emptying chaff fom said separator comprising a third substantially gastight lock communicatable with said separator and means for sequentially filling said lock with roasting fluid to a pressure substantially equal to the pressure in the chaff separator, providing communication between the separator and lock to allow the transfer of foreign material from the separator to the lock, reducing the pressure in the lock to atmospheric pressure by evacuating roasting fluid, and providing communication between the lock and a receiver for the foreign material, whereby the lock can be emptied without a significant flow of air into or roasting fluid from the lock, said last-mentioned means including conduit means connecting the third lock through the system for filling said third lock with roasting fluid to the pressure relief valve; a first valve in said conduit means which can be closed to keep roasting fluid from flowing therethrough into the third lock from said lastmentioned system when said third lock is being evacuated and otherwise opened to provide communication between said third lock and said pressure relief means; and a second valve which can be closed to keep fluid fRom being pumped out of said third lock by said fluid evacuating means other than when such evacuation is desired.
 13. Apparatus for roasting particulate solids in a continuous-type operation comprising a roasting vessel having a shell; means in said shell for supporting a bed of particulate solids; an assembly rotatably supported in said shell which includes means for dividing the bed of solids into a plurality of generally discrete segments; means for introducing solids to be roasted through said roasting vessel shell into said bed at one location; means for discharging roasted solids from the bed and roasting vessel shell at a second location spaced around the roasting vessel from said first location comprising a discharge lock having outlet means with a first valve means therein; means for transferring solids from the roasting vessel to the discharge lock having a second valve therein; and means operable with the lock empty and said first valve open and said second valve closed to sequentially close said first valve to isolate the lock, evacuate the lock, fill the lock with roasting fluid until the pressure therein reaches the pressure in the roasting vessel, open said second valve to permit the transfer of the roasted solids from the roasting vessel to the discharge lock, close said second valve, evacuate the roasting fluid from said lock and return it to the source from which it is supplied to thereby conserve the fluid, and open the first valve to permit the solids in the lock to be discharged from the lock through the outlet thereof; flow means in the lower reaches of the roasting vessel through which a heated roasting fluid can flow upwardly into the bed of solids; and means for intermittently advancing said rotatable assembly through an angle of selected magnitude, whereby said assembly can be halted with a segment of the bed containing roasted solids at said second location to discharge said solids from the bed and with the space occupied by a previously occupied segment of the bed at said first location for replacement of said lastmentioned segment of the bed with unroasted solids, said flow means being along the path between said first and second locations, whereby the solids in said discrete segments are contacted by the heated roasting fluid as the segments are advanced along said path by the intermittent rotary advance of said rotatable assembly. 